tie rod bolt size? E300TD

[Olivier]

Hello,
I need to change a tie rod on the E300TD, what is the spanner size needed for the end that goes into the steering rack? Or is there some other tools instead of a spanner that I can use to un-screw it?
Cheers.
Olivier

 

[grober]

If its the ball joint at the hub end can you not just replace/unscrew that? After carefully measuring the length of course for tracking?

 

[Olivier]

Hi Grober,
this is the long bar on the other end, not the ball joint.
The one that need attention is the one that is screwed to the steering rack. The spanner size is over 32mm and I need to know the correct size to be able to order it .
Olivier

 

[312 Sprinter]

What are you trying to do? There isn't a steering rack. There is a steering box and the link between it and the idler has normal size nuts. There is no need to remove the pitman arm to change the link.

 

[grober]

Which nut are talking about? is it 38 on the diagram? If so I doubt very much its more than 17 mm if that----- Check your car is a W210 300TD 1997 as per your signature??

 

[Olivier]

Hi Grober,
the nuts at the end of #35, mark in red, this is the tie rod or the axial rod, got few names...cheers.
Olivier

 

[johnsco]

See photo.
I did this job last year on the E300TD that got wrecked.
The spanner size is 36mm.
You will see I wrote it on the part at the time.
You also need to support the steering rack as you turn the joint on the track rod.
It is VERY tight.

 

[Olivier]

Hi John,
this is the one. 36mm then. Pfff....Large spanner...
Thank you for this.
was it trully hard?
Cheers.
Olivier

 

[johnsco]

Truelly Truelly !!
Certainly for an old man like me - On my back underneath it !!

 

[Olivier]

Truelly Truelly !!
Certainly for an old man like me - On my back underneath it !!

Now that you know how to do it, would you like to do it again

 

[SilverSaloon]

Olivier; the price for this spanner isnt too bad if you havnt got one yet... and just down the end of London Rd. Get a good breaker bar on the end too.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/facom-45-36-open-ended-spanner-36mm

 

[johnsco]

I'm in no hurry to do it again.
(But I'll lend you the big spanner).
The one part I could not do was to fit the large-diameter MB boot clip.
(See photo above)
I'm afraid I cheated and used a black plastic ratchet tie.
There must be a special trick to it ... Maybe a special tool.

The lock-nut at the end of the outer track-rod end was seriously rusted solid.
Nut No 38 on above diagram.
That took some moving after a night soaking in penetrating oil ... and then some heat ... and then a spanner on the nut and a pair of stilsons on the rod !!

Hope yours is a bit easier.

 

[Olivier]

Olivier; the price for this spanner isnt too bad if you havnt got one yet... and just down the end of London Rd. Get a good breaker bar on the end too.

Facom 45.36 Open Ended Spanner 36mm - Machine Mart

hiya,the link is not working?

 

[Olivier]

I'm in no hurry to do it again.
(But I'll lend you the big spanner).
The one part I could not do was to fit the large-diameter MB boot clip.
(See photo above)
I'm afraid I cheated and used a black plastic ratchet tie.
There must be a special trick to it ... Maybe a special tool.

The lock-nut at the end of the outer track-rod end was seriously rusted solid.
Nut No 38 on above diagram.
That took some moving after a night soaking in penetrating oil ... and then some heat ... and then a spanner on the nut and a pair of stilsons on the rod !!

Hope yours is a bit easier.

After I looked at it I did the same with the plastic tie, mine are white
I even struggle to put the little clip back in place as the rubber is kind of hard and dry
Not sure if I want to do this now tho ...

 

[grober]

Facom 440.36 Combination Spanner 36mm - Machine Mart
or
Facom 45.36 Open Ended Spanner 36mm - Machine Mart

 

[grober]

Facom 440.36 Combination Spanner 36mm - Machine Mart
or
Facom 45.36 Open Ended Spanner 36mm - Machine Mart

 

[Olivier]

got this one to on fleebay, a little cheaper, less then 12 quid.
eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace

 

[AANDYY]

Oh Olivier, what big nuts you've got!

 

[Olivier]

I know... Its a bugger more then anything else, trust me there

 

[Olivier]

I am thinking of doing the tie rod end at the same time, if its a bugger to remove from the tie rod and as they have been there for a millenium, look easier to just do both at once. John, what do you reckon?
Cheers.
Olivier